COMMON TENSES

An overview of the FIVE most important tenses in the English language

Present Simple
(I go)

Past Simple
(I went)

Future Simple
(I will go)

Present Perfect
(I have gone)

Present Continuous
(I am going)

When do I use this

tense?

Used for present facts

and repeated actions.

Used for completed

actions in the past.

Used for future actions,

even if they are only a
few seconds in the
future.

Used for actions which

started in the past and
are still true now.

Used for temporary

actions going on now.

Words that signal

use of the tense:

every (day, week, month,

year, etc.), always,
usually, often,
sometimes, etc.

Yesterday, last (week,

month, year, etc.), when I
was a child, this morning
(if it is no longer
morning), etc.

Tomorrow, next (week,

month, year, etc.), in the
future, when I retire,
when I get home, etc.

Since, for, ever (with

questions), up to now,
how long (with
questions), etc.

Now, at the moment,

today, this week,
presently, etc.

How do I make the

tense?

The first form of the verb

is used to make the
Present Simple.

The second form of the

verb is used for the Past
Simple.
However, when making
questions and negatives
in the Past Simple, we
use the helping verb
"did" and leave the main
verb in its infinitive form
(1st form).

The Future Simple is

formed with the helping
verb will and the first
form of the verb.

The Present Perfect is

formed with the helping
verb have (or: has) and
the third form of the verb.

The Present Continuous

is formed with the helping
verb to be (am, are, is)
and the "-ing" form of the
verb.

did

will

have / has

to be (am, are, is)

For questions and

negatives the helping
verb (do / does) is used
with the first form of the
verb.
An important rule with
the Present Simple is:
Dont forget the "s" with
he, she & it!
Which helping verb
do I use?

do / does